Henan Budai Buddha, British Museum

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The jovial monk Udaya has become a beloved figure in Chinese Buddhism. His charismatic presence is a culmination of various Chinese legends. Statues of Budai are frequently placed in the entrance halls of temples and monasteries, surrounded by two figures known as the Good Boy and the Bad Boy. These two individuals appear as officials or judges, recording an individual's good and bad deeds during their lifetime, determining whether to send them to heaven or hell. This particular Budai is crafted in the sancai palette developed during the Tang dynasty, which was later revived in the Ming era. An inscription on the left side dates it to 1486, marking the twentieth year of Chenghua's reign. Although many large and popular figures like this were commissioned for religious purposes, most imperial Chenghua ceramics were delicate, intricately formed, and beautifully colored porcelains. This object is part of "Scan The World", a non-profit initiative launched by MyMiniFactory to create a digital archive of fully 3D printable sculptures, artworks, and landmarks from around the globe. The public can access these items for free through Scan The World, an open-source community project. If you have interesting items nearby that you'd like to contribute, email stw@myminifactory.com to learn how you can participate in this effort.